Where I grew up, at the age of 15-1/2 years of age, we could
get our driver’s permit. A permit allowed teens to drive a car accompanied by a
licensed driver. I wasn’t particularly
eager to drive, but everyone else was taking Driver’s Training, so I enrolled
in the class at my school. (To my
knowledge schools no longer offer it, and it is expensive to attend a private
Driving School.)
So, I started off my first day in a car with an instructor
and two male students. The other two
kids had their turn first. Then it was
my turn. We were in a very large vacant
parking lot.
All I remember about my turn at driving was when the
instructor began shouting at me! I had
not done anything dangerous (no cars around to hit), but apparently I had done
something wrong. He continued shouting
at me until I began to cry. How
embarrassing! After the class, I went to
the Girls’ Vice Principal to quit the class.
She informed me that the instructor was known for harassing the girls in
his classes.
I didn’t even attempt to drive again for over a year. Then, my father wanted to teach me. He was a very patient and kind man. I drove around our neighborhood for a while,
and I was doing fine. Then, I remember
my dad saying, "Turn right at the next corner and park the car." I followed his instructions. Once stopped, he
told me that I had been driving the wrong way on a one-way street! He hadn’t panicked or shouted at me. He just got me off that street as quickly as
possible. But, I was a nervous wreck
when he told me what I had done.
Periodically after that I drove with my dad, but I was
always very nervous behind the wheel.
Finally, when I was going off to college, I knew I had to learn to
drive! I asked my girlfriend Elaine if
she would go with me while I practiced.
For the first time, I was just driving along with my friend, no one
teaching me anything, and I was a driver.
I wasn’t nervous. I knew exactly
what I needed to do and when.
From that turning point, driving was never a problem for
me. I have never been in a collision
that I caused, and (I hope I am not “jinxing” myself here…) I have never
received a ticket for a traffic violation.
I really enjoy driving.
I have taken many driving vacations throughout my life, and I driven in
about 2/3 of the 50 United States. I had
a very rocky driving beginning, but it turned fine.
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